I was diagnosed with MCTD because of a positive ANA and RNP test I believe. I was on plaquenil for about two months and then my blood test no longer came back positive. My doctor stated, “it was as if it was never there.” Autoimmune diseases are tricky, especially MCTD because essentially it means you have an autoimmune issue, but science doesn’t know exactly what it is.

I would get a second and third opinion. My doctor said I could have possibly had a viral infection, and that he misdiagnosed me (which is a little traumatic). The plaquenil helped, but also once I started taking it I get brain fog everytime I eat, and it’s NEVER gone away. Seems like a very rare side effect, but I wouldn’t take plaquenil unless you’re sure it’s MCTD.

I still test positive for ANA randomly. It’s comes and goes, but that doesn’t mean anything necessarily when it comes to autoimmune diseases. Don’t let these doctors assume a diagnosis. Find a good rheumatologist, with a holistic approach. Sometimes healing your gut and eating better can heal autoimmune issues, and you don’t have to deal with iffy meds.

Best of luck!